Once the leg was treated, Cosmo pulled three cushions off the couch and threw them all on the floor in a circle. He sat down on one of them, wordlessly inviting everyone else to join him.
"So, let's make an agreement," he said. "I tell you the truth, you tell me the truth. Please, I really need it."
"Alright, you first," Archer glanced straight at Cosmo, making him uncomfortable.
"Okay. So as I said, I'm a city boy, my name's Cosmo, and Willow's my brother. We both have wings, but the thing is, there's something wrong with mine. They pop out by themselves when I'm nervous, as in, I don't summon them."
Archer nodded.
"So? Why are you here?"
Cosmo hesitated. He wasn't sure if he could tell all of that to Archer, who was apparently expecting a truthful answer. What if he'd be considered a spy?
Taking a deep breath, he decided to tell the truth. It was worth the risk. There was a chance that he would get empathy and support.
"My sister Ivy was about to have wings clipped for something she didn't really do. So I was offered to cancel the punishment if I went here and reported everything suspicious."
He looked up at Archer, who was actually smiling. Cosmo searcher for a hint of hostility, but there were none. He was being friendly and calm.
"Nice," he said once he realized that Cosmo had finished. "I was born here. There's a village of wingless people in the forest."
Cosmo frowned, listening in. Archer sounded way too calm talking about people with no wings.
"So I come from there," Archer continued. "We've got a pretty poor life, well, compared to you. And we have to keep it secret for some reason. I think that's stupid."
"Well, you told us."
"Right. I did. There's nothing wrong with it, is there?"
"What if there is a good reason?"
Archer shrugged his shoulders.
"Perhaps. Or perhaps it would be better if they knew, if we were getting help and partnership."
Cosmo looked away.
"Listen, I would like to see that... village. Can I?"
"Of course. I'm sure they'll be happy to see you."
Cosmo doubted that, but chose not to say anything. They weren't supposed to be enemies, he assured himself. They were just some crazy tribe that had its own traditions. There was nothing suspicious about some culture. He just had to learn to live in peace with the people.
YOU ARE READING
The Angel's Nature
FantasyIn a world where everyone has wings, getting them clipped is the worst punishment. Cosmo has spent his life dealing with a mysterious disease that made his wings pop out of nowhere when he was nervous. His sister Ivy is about to have her wings clip...
